Film magazine

ABSTRACT

A magazine for a strip of flexible material is disclosed having construction which consists principally of a first receptacle defining a supply chamber, a second receptable defining a take-up chamber and an intermediate frame member connecting integrally with both of said receptacles. The magazine disclosed features an integral energy storage means for driving a spool rotatably mounted within the take-up chamber. Another feature of the invention is resilient means within the supply chamber for regulating the speed of the travel of the flexible strip material.

United States Patent [191 Ito et a1.

1 1 FILM MAGAZINE [75] Inventors: Hiroshi Ito; Ryozo Miyake; Fumio Kobayashi, all of Omiya, Japan [73] Assignee: Fuji Shashin Koki Kabushiki Kaisha, Omiya, Japan 22 Filed: Oct. 17, 1973 21 App1.No.:407,l55

[52] U.S. Cl. 242/711; 95/31 AC [51] Int. Cl. G03b 1/04 [58] Field of Search .r 242/712, 71.4, 199, 200; 95/31 AC, DIG. 1

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,001,440 9/1961 Foster 242/199 3,286,945 11/1966 Stcisslingcr 242/7112 3,443,501 5/1969 Domnick 242/712 145] July 15, 1975 Nelson 95/31 AC Good 95/31 AC Primary Examiner-Edward J. McCarthy Attorney, Agent, or FirmLane, Aitken, Dunner & Ziems [57] ABSTRACT A magazine for a strip of flexible material is disclosed having construction which consists principally of a first receptacle defining a supply chamber, a second receptable defining a take-up chamber and an intermediate frame member connecting integrally with both of said receptacles. The magazine disclosed features an integral energy storage means for driving a spool rotatably mounted within the take-up chamber. Another feature of the invention is resilient means within the supply chamber for regulating the speed of the travel of the flexible strip material.

17 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures f9 14o S PATENIEUJUL 2 mm 3,894, 700 SHEET 1 FILM MAGAZINE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the invention This invention relates to a magazine and, more specifically, to a film magazine for use in a camera, which magazine consists principally of a first receptacle defining a supply chamber, a second receptacle defining a take-up chamber and an intermediate frame member integrally connecting said receptacle.

2. Description of the prior art Film magazines having a first receptacle defining a film supply chamber, a second receptacle defining a film take-up chamber and an intermediate frame member integrally connecting the receptacles are well known. The intermediate frame members of such magazines are located between the two receptacles, or chambers, and are provided with an exposure opening therein, in addition to a film passage-way or channel communicating with both receptacles to permit the film to travel from the film supply chamber to the film take-up chamber. The leading end portion of the film is thereby wound around the take-up spool after the camera has been loaded with the magazine so as to bring the unexposed portion of the film to an aperture position for exposure, after which the film is wound, frame by frame, on the take-up spool.

Cameras have been marketed which incorporate an electric motor or spring motor to provide automated film winding operation. Such cameras obviate the film winding operation by a camera user; however, they are of a complicated construction, requiring operating means such as an electric motor or a spring motor as well as their associated mechanical means. Thus the film-winding mechanisms of such cameras are extremely complicated, and necessiatate a relatively large camera to house such means. The checking and replacement of the batteries which energize the electric motor or spring motor poses another problem in connection with such cameras.

In other cameras, a battery is incorporated for the sole purpose of winding a film around a spool mounted within a magazine. However, in such cameras there exists the danger that the battery will die before the winding of a film has been completed, particularly in cases where the camera has been stored for a long period of time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Briefly stated, the present invention provides an improved magazine for a strip of flexible material. The magazine consists principally of a first receptacle defining a strip supply chamber, a second receptacle defining a strip take-up chamber and an intermediate strip guide means connecting integrally with both receptacles. The intermediate frame member is located between the receptacles and has an exposure opening. A strip take-up spool is mounted within the take-up chamber, said spool being rotated by drive means within the magazine to wind either a leading end portion or the whole length of the strip around the take-up spool. Where the strip material is a photographic film, the drive means is designed to cooperate with means within a camera body to provide frame by frame incremental movement of the film.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided film speed regulating means in the form of a second spring within the magazine, said second spring being adapted to resiliently bear or press upon the film which has been wound around the film take up spool, whereby the speed of the film, which is being wound therearound at the initial stage of winding, may be slowed down to approximately that at the later stages of winding. Such regulating means compensates for the fact that the winding force of the drive spring is greater at the initial stage of winding than at later or final stages.

It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a film magazine having a film winding spool mounted in a film winding chamber of the magazine and rotated by means of a coil spring, wherein said spring is fully energized at the time the magazine is loaded, and having a locking member for said spool, which locking member may be intermitently released after the loading of the magazine, so that the leading end portion or the whole length of a film may be wound, frame by frame, around the film winding spool responsive to the reverting action of a spring, thereby obviating the need to check the condition of a battery between shots.

It is another object of the invention to provide a film magazine having means to regulate the film speed so that the film speed is approximately constant through all stages of winding.

It is a yet further object of the invention to provide a film magazine which is simple and compact in construction, yet which meets the aforesaid objects.

These and other objects and features of the invention will be apparent to one skilled in the art from reading the ensuing specification in conjunction with accompa nied drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the exterior of a film magazine and representing one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the film magazine of FIG. 1, taken along the line A-A of FIG. 1, showing the spring means and locking means housed therein;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the portion of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view similar to that shown in FIG. 2, but showing another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a broken vertical cross-sectional view of a locking member in a released position as used in the embodiment of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view of yet another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 6, showing the locking member in a released position; and

FIG. 8 is a transverse cross-sectional view of a film supply chamber of a film magazine of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. I shows a perspective view of a film magazine useful in the present invention for housing a length of a film l. The magazine has a film supply chamber 2 of a substantially cylindrical shape and a film take-up chamber 3 of a substantially cylindrical shape. Within chamber 3 is rotatably mounted a film take-up spool 5 having a surface adapted to receive and wrap film l therearound. An intermediate frame member 8 is integrally connected to the film supply chamber 2 and film take-up chamber 3, said member 8 having an exposure opening 80 for exposing a portion of the film 1, said opening facing an aperture on the camera body and communicating with the film passage. The magazines of the present invention are similar in exterior appearance to conventional film magazines and the method for manufacturing the magazine is likewise conventional.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show one embodiment of the present invention having a hollow cylindrical film take-up chamber 3 defined by an approximately cylindrical wall portion 4, a top plate member 40 having a central hole or aperture 4e therein, and a bottom plate portion 4b having a central hole 4f. Cylindrical wall 4 has annular grooves 4d and 4d circumferentially around chamber 3 and located near top plate 40 and bottom plate 4b, respectively. A film take-up spool 5, having a film winding surface 5a, is rotatably mounted within film take-up chamber. Spool 5 has a short shaft Sf on its top surface, shaft 5 f being rotatably journaled in the central hole 4e. Spool 5 is further provided with upper and lower flanges 5b and 5b which serve to block the light. Flanges Sb and 5b have their peripheral edges rotatably fitted in grooves 4d and 4d. A lower shaft 5c extends through the central hole 4f from the center of the lower flange 5b, and carries a ratchet wheel 5d. A coil spring 6, is mounted around shaft 56 and has one end anchored to shaft Sc and another end anchored to cylindrical wall portion 40 and operates to impart energy to the film take-up spool to cause said spool to rotate. The magazine is further provided with a locking means 7, which includes a pivot pin 70 rotatably journaled in bottom plate 4b. The pivot pin carries a pawl member 7b which is normally urged against the ratchet wheel 5d for engagement therewith, by the action of a spring 7c.

Spring 6 is prewound in the plant during construction of the film magazine to place same in an energized condition. The pawl 7b of the locking member 7 engages the teeth of ratchet wheel 5d to thereby lock the film take-up spool against rotation. The adjustment of the extent to which the spring 6 is wound, permits either the winding of only a predetermined length of the leading portion of the film around the film take-up spool 5 or the winding of the whole length of the film l thereon.

To disengage the pawl 7b of locking member 7 from the ratchet wheel affixed to the film take-up spool 5, the locking member 7 is urged in the direction shown by arrow 9 about the pivot 7a by means of a lockreleasing projection provided on the back of the lid of a camera (not shown) or by means responsive to a pressing of the shutter button. The tension in spring 6 may be set so that the leading non-sensitized end portion only, of the film 1, will be wound around the film take-up spool 5. Alternatively, the tension in spring 6 may be set so that the leading end portion of the film is first wound, and then the remaining portion of the film may be wound, frame by frame. it should be apparcut to those skilled in the art that the travel of the film may be stopped to provide frame-by-frame winding by means provided within the camera for engaging the perforations in the film, or by a winding mechanism provided on the side of the camera body.

Turning now to H65. 4 and 5, shown at 13 is a film take-up receptacle defining a chamber for housing the exposed film 11 therein. The take-up chamber 13 includes a cylindrical housing or case portion 14, a film winding spool 15 rotatably mounted within said cylindrical portion 14, a spring 16 adapted to rotate said film take-up spool 15 so as to wind the film l1 thereon, and locking means 17 adapted to lock the film take-up spool 15 against rotation until the magazine is loaded within the camera. The film take-up spool 15 consists of a short shaft 15] serving as a rotational-movement transmitting member, a hollow shaft portion 15a having one closed end, a first or upper flange 15b, and a second or lower flange 15b having a stop or projection on its lower surface. The cylindrical chamber 14, which houses spool 15, includes a top plate 14a having a central hole Me, in which is rotatably fitted the short shaft 15f. A shaft-like member 14f, having a stepped portion 14g rotatably supporting the lower flange 15b of the film take-up spool 15, extends from a bottom plate portion 14b of chamber 14. Plate portion 14b of chamber 14 is also provided with a groove 14h adapted to slidingly receive locking member 17 therein. The cylindrical wall portion 14c has an has circumferential rib 14k adapted to retain the circumferential edge of the lower flange 15b and an aperture 14: located in a position where it communicates with the groove 14h. One end 16a of the coil spring 16 is anchored to film takeup spool 15 and the other end 16b is anchored in the shaft 14f of the cylindrical portion 14. The locking means 17 consists of a spring 176 located in the groove 14h of the bottom plate portion 14b and a pin 17a having a locking projection 17b adapted to engage the stop or projection 15c and is biased toward the through-hole 14i by spring 17c.

The spring 16 may be wound in the plant during manufacture of the film magazine to put the spring in an energized state prior to sale. The film take-up spool 15 is prevented from being rotated by the engagement between the protrusion or stop 156 on the undersurface of the lower flange 15b of the film take-up spool 15 and the locking means 17b of the pin 17a which is stopped in abutment with the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical wall Me. The tension in the spring 16 may be preset so that only the leading end portion of the film (that portion not carrying a photosensitive coating) may be wound around the take-up spool 15. Alternatively, the tension may be present sothat the whole length of the film 11 may be wound around the spool.

To disengage the locking projection 17b of the looking member 17 from the engaging projection 150 of the film take-up spool 15 a projection S on the back lid of a camera (not shown), or a shutter button, is provided whereby the projection S may be urged in a direction shown by an arrow 19, to force the pin 17a to slide within the groove 14h away from the through-hole 141'.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show another embodiment of the invention wherein a spring 26 is mounted within a cylindrical portion 24 of a film take-up receptacle or chamber 23. One end of spring 26 is anchored to the inner wall of the cylindrical wall 24 and the other end is anchored to a film take-up spool 25 which is rotatably supported within the cylindrical chamber 24. Engaging projections 25c and 25c are provided on the undersurface of the lower flange 25b of the film-take-up spool 25. Complimenting the flange projections are projections 27b and 27b provided on a hinged cover 270 which is pivotally secured in position by means of a resilient fastening means 29. The base plate 27a fits in and covers a through-hole 24f in the bottom plate portion 24b. Thus locking means 27 comprises projections 27b and 27b on cover member 27a and mating projections 25c and 250' on spool flange 25b. As with the previously described embodiments, locking means 27 allows i.e. magazine to be assembled with tension in spring 26, i.e. preenergized.

The embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7 is further provided with lock releasing means in the form of a rod 30 extending co-axially through the cylindrical chamber 24, the rod 30 being adapted to move axially in a lightsealing engagement with the walls defining chamber 23. Thus, when the rod 30 is depressed, as by the operation of closing the back lid of a camera, the base plate portion 270 is forced into the position shown in FIG. 7, thus releasing the lock.

Finally, FIG. 8 shows an embodiment in which the speed of the travel of the film is regulated to achieve an approximately constant value. Within a film supply chamber 42, is shown an unexposed film 41. The film supply chamber 42 has an exterior similar to the casing in FIG. 1. Chamber 42 is defined by a cylindrical wall portion and houses a spool 45 for storage of the unexposed film. Within chamber 42 is mounted a spring having a free end 47b resiliently urged against the back surface of the film 21 to produce an approximately constant travelling speed for the film. The opposite end or base portion 47a of the spring 45 is anchored to the cylindrical wall portion 420. The intermediate frame member 48 is of a construction similar to that shown at 8 in FIG. 1.

With such an arrangement, the urging force of the spring 47 against the back surface of the film 41 decreases as the film leaves the supply chamber 42. Thus, the urging force of the spring 47 will become smaller proportionally as the film is being wound around the spool in the film take-up chamber. On the other hand, the energy or rotational force of the spring drive means for the film take-up spool becomes proportionally smaller as the film is transferred.

Thus, the travelling speed of the film 41 may be maintained constant throughout the film winding operation, and a uniform force is thereby imparted to the components where functions are associated with stopping or starting the travel of the film, thus insuring reasonable and smooth transfer of the film from the film supply chamber to the film take-up chamber. Thus the present invention aids in extending the service life of various operating components within the camera and simplifies the design thereof.

It will be understood that the above description is merely illustrative of the preferred embodiments of the invention. Additional modifications and improvements utilizing the discoveries of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the present disclosure and such modifications and improvements are intended to be within the scope and purview of the invention as defined by the claims that follow.

We claim:

1. A magazine for housing a film strip and adapted to be inserted into the body of a camera said magazine comprising:

a housing defining a hollow supply chamber, a hollow take-up chamber and guide means connecting said supply chamber and said take-up chamber;

a spool member rotatably mounted in each of said chambers for transferring said strip between said supply chamber and said take-up chamber; and

drive means supported by said housing and operably connected to the spool member in said take-up chamber for producing energy sufficient to rotate said spool member in said take-up chamber.

2. The magazine of claim 1 wherein said flexible strip material is a photographic film having at least a portion of one surface coated with a photosensitive material.

3. The magazine of claim 1 wherein said one spool member is provided with a hollow shaft portion and wherein said drive means is a helical spring mounted within said hollow shaft portion, said helical spring having one end secured to said housing and another end secured to said second spool member.

4. The magazine of claim 3 wherein said one spool member has a circular extended portion at one end, said extended portion being provided with a plurality of teeth or projections around its circumference, and wherein locking means comprises a pawl member and resilient means for biasing said pawl member toward said teeth or projections for engagement therewith.

5. The magazine of claim 1 wherein said one spool member has a coaxial shaft portion extending from one end and wherein said drive means is a coil spring situated around said shaft, said spring having one end adfixed to said shaft and another end adfixed to a wall of said housing.

6. The magazine of claim 5 wherein said shaft is provided with a plurality of teeth or projections around its circumference, and wherein locking means comprises a pawl member and resilient means for biasing said pawl member toward said teeth or projections for engagement therewith.

7. The magazine of claim 1 wherein said energy is sufficient to draw a predetermined portion of said strip into said take-up chamber upon release of said locking means.

8. The magazine of claim 1 wherein said energy is sufficient to draw the entire length of said strip material into said take-up chamber responsive to release of said locking means.

9. In a magazine for a flexible strip material, said magazine having a first chamber, a second chamber and an intermediate strip guide means connecting said first and second chambers to allow the strip to travel between said chambers, the improvement comprising:

means supported by the magazine for regulating the speed of the travel of the strip between the chambers, said regulating means comprising a first resilient member mounted within the first chamber and a second resilient member mounted within the second chamber said first and second resilient members being deenergized responsive to the travel of the strip.

10. The magazine of claim 9 wherein said flexible strip material is a photographic film strip having at least a portion of one surface coated with a photosensitive material.

11. The magazine of claim 10 wherein at least one of said resilient members is a spring biased against one surface of the strip material.

12. A magazine for housing a film strip and adapted to be inserted into the body of a camera, said magazine comprising:

a housing defining a hollow supply chamber, a hollow take-up chamber and guide means connecting said supply chamber and said take-up chamber;

a spool member rotatably mounted in each of said chambers for transferring said strip between said supply chamber and said take-up chamber, one of said spool members being provided with at least one flange member at one end thereof, said flange having a first stop member or protrusion on one surface;

drive means supported by said housing and operably connected to said one spool member for producing energy sufficient to rotate said one spool member, and

locking means comprising a second stop member slideably mounted within said housing and resilient means for biasing said second stop member into engagement with said first stop member to lock said one spool member against rotation.

13. A magazine for housing a film strip and adapted to be inserted into the body of a camera, said magazine comprising:

a housing defining a hollow supply chamber, a hollow take-up chamber and guide means connecting said supply chamber and said take-up chamber;

a spool member rotatably mounted in each of said chambers for transferring said strip between said supply chamber and said take-up chamber, one of said spool members being provided with at least one flange member at one end thereof, said flange member having at least one stop member thereon; said housing having an opening adjacent to said flange;

drive means supported by said housing and operably connected to said one spool member for producing energy sufficient to rotate said one spool member; and

locking means comprising a plate member pivotally attached to said housing for movement between open and closed positions and covering said opening in said closed position, said plate member carrying at least one protrusion for engagement with said stop member when said plate member is in said closed position.

14. The magazine of claim 13 wherein said locking means further comprises a pin member slideably mounted within said magazine and adapted to be forced against said plate member to move said plate member to the open position.

15. The magazine of claim 12 further comprising: means integral with the magazine for regulating the speed of the travel of the strip between the chambers, said regulating means comprising a resilient member mounted within said supply chamber and bearing on a surface of the strip, said resilient member being deenergized proportionally to the deenergization of the drive means.

16. The magazine of claim 13 further comprising:

means integral with the magazine for regulating the speed of the travel of the strip between the chambers, said regulating means comprising a resilient member mounted within said supply chamber and bearing on a surface of the strip, said resilient member being deenergized proportionally to the deenergization of the drive means.

17. A magazine for housing a film strip and adapted to be inserted into the body of a camera, said magazine comprising:

a housing defining a hollow supply chamber, a hollow take-up chamber and guide means connecting said supply chamber and said take-up chamber;

a spool member rotatably mounted in each of said chambers for transferring said strip between said supply chamber and said take-up chamber;

drive means supported by said housing and operably ation of the drive means. 

1. A magazine for housing a film strip and adapted to be inserted into the body of a camera said magazine comprising: a housing defining a hollow supply chamber, a hollow take-up chamber and guide means connecting said supply chamber and said take-up chamber; a spool member rotatably mounted in each of said chambers for transferring said strip between said supply chamber and said take-up chamber; and drive means supported by said housing and operably connected to the spool member in said take-up chamber for producing energy sufficient to rotate said spool member in said take-up chamber.
 2. The magazine of claim 1 wherein said flexible strip material is a photographic film having at least a portion of one surface coated with a photosensitive material.
 3. The magazine of claim 1 wherein said one spool member is provided with a hollow shaft portion and wherein said drive means is a helical spring mounted within said hollow shaft portion, said helical spring having one end secured to said housing and another end secured to said second spool member.
 4. The magazine of claim 3 wherein said one spool member has a circular extended portion at one end, said extended portion being provided with a plurality of teeth or projections around its circumference, and wherein locking means comprises a pawl member and resilient means for biasing said pawl member toward said teeth or projections for engagement therewith.
 5. The magazine of claim 1 wherein said one spool member has a coaxial shaft portion extending from one end and wherein said drive means is a coil spring situated around said shaft, said spring having one end adfixed to said shaft and another end adfixed to a wall of said housing.
 6. The magazine of claim 5 wherein said shaft is provided with a plurality of teeth or proJections around its circumference, and wherein locking means comprises a pawl member and resilient means for biasing said pawl member toward said teeth or projections for engagement therewith.
 7. The magazine of claim 1 wherein said energy is sufficient to draw a predetermined portion of said strip into said take-up chamber upon release of said locking means.
 8. The magazine of claim 1 wherein said energy is sufficient to draw the entire length of said strip material into said take-up chamber responsive to release of said locking means.
 9. In a magazine for a flexible strip material, said magazine having a first chamber, a second chamber and an intermediate strip guide means connecting said first and second chambers to allow the strip to travel between said chambers, the improvement comprising: means supported by the magazine for regulating the speed of the travel of the strip between the chambers, said regulating means comprising a first resilient member mounted within the first chamber and a second resilient member mounted within the second chamber said first and second resilient members being deenergized responsive to the travel of the strip.
 10. The magazine of claim 9 wherein said flexible strip material is a photographic film strip having at least a portion of one surface coated with a photosensitive material.
 11. The magazine of claim 10 wherein at least one of said resilient members is a spring biased against one surface of the strip material.
 12. A magazine for housing a film strip and adapted to be inserted into the body of a camera, said magazine comprising: a housing defining a hollow supply chamber, a hollow take-up chamber and guide means connecting said supply chamber and said take-up chamber; a spool member rotatably mounted in each of said chambers for transferring said strip between said supply chamber and said take-up chamber, one of said spool members being provided with at least one flange member at one end thereof, said flange having a first stop member or protrusion on one surface; drive means supported by said housing and operably connected to said one spool member for producing energy sufficient to rotate said one spool member, and locking means comprising a second stop member slideably mounted within said housing and resilient means for biasing said second stop member into engagement with said first stop member to lock said one spool member against rotation.
 13. A magazine for housing a film strip and adapted to be inserted into the body of a camera, said magazine comprising: a housing defining a hollow supply chamber, a hollow take-up chamber and guide means connecting said supply chamber and said take-up chamber; a spool member rotatably mounted in each of said chambers for transferring said strip between said supply chamber and said take-up chamber, one of said spool members being provided with at least one flange member at one end thereof, said flange member having at least one stop member thereon; said housing having an opening adjacent to said flange; drive means supported by said housing and operably connected to said one spool member for producing energy sufficient to rotate said one spool member; and locking means comprising a plate member pivotally attached to said housing for movement between open and closed positions and covering said opening in said closed position, said plate member carrying at least one protrusion for engagement with said stop member when said plate member is in said closed position.
 14. The magazine of claim 13 wherein said locking means further comprises a pin member slideably mounted within said magazine and adapted to be forced against said plate member to move said plate member to the open position.
 15. The magazine of claim 12 further comprising: means integral with the magazine for regulating the speed of the travel of the strip between the chambers, said regulating means comprising a resilient member mounted within said supply Chamber and bearing on a surface of the strip, said resilient member being deenergized proportionally to the deenergization of the drive means.
 16. The magazine of claim 13 further comprising: means integral with the magazine for regulating the speed of the travel of the strip between the chambers, said regulating means comprising a resilient member mounted within said supply chamber and bearing on a surface of the strip, said resilient member being deenergized proportionally to the deenergization of the drive means.
 17. A magazine for housing a film strip and adapted to be inserted into the body of a camera, said magazine comprising: a housing defining a hollow supply chamber, a hollow take-up chamber and guide means connecting said supply chamber and said take-up chamber; a spool member rotatably mounted in each of said chambers for transferring said strip between said supply chamber and said take-up chamber; drive means supported by said housing and operably connected to one of said spool members for producing energy sufficient to rotate said one spool member; and means integral with the magazine for regulating the speed of the travel of a strip between the chambers, said regulating means comprising a resilient member mounted within said supply chamber and bearing on a surface of the strip, said resilient member being deenergized proportionally to the deenergization of the drive means. 